THE ROMAN IMPERIAL CULT
MEMORIAL SHRINE
OF EMPEROR PETRONIUS MAXIMUS
17 March – 31 May 455 AD
Welcome to the Memorial Shrine of Petronius Maximus
Significant
Days:
March 17 - Named Emperor
31 May - Ended Rule
It is very
unlikely that Petronius Maximus received official Apotheosis.
He was responsible for the
death of the great general Flavius Aetius, who defeated Attila the Hun
and who was known as the
"Last of the Romans." Petronius Maximus was also directly responsible
for the Sack of Rome by the
Vandals in 455 AD. He was killed by the citizens of Rome while
attempting to flee Rome and
leave it to its fate without mounting a defense. It is more likely that the
Roman Senate voted Damneo
Memoriae rather than to acknowledge him as a Divi... if they got to vote at
all.
This page is
A Memorial Shrine rather than a Temple.
It
acknowledges Petronius Maximus as having been Emperor
and offers
prayers to the Gods for his sirit, in memory of
what good he
may have done in his earlier Roman career.
Prayer and Offering:
Classical
Prayer and Offering:
Items Needed,
Altar space, an image of the Emperor Petronius Maximus (optional)
a candle or lamp, Incense, a small container of wine (or juice if
necessary)
and a small, open dish to pour wine into.
When
prepared, take a moment to reflect on the Divine Emperor, then light the
lamp or candle saying:
"I offer this sacred flame
to the Gods in memory of
Petronius Maximus Augustus.
May his memory be a lesson, and his spirit find redemption."
Focus for a
moment on the Gods and their mercy.*
Next, light
the incense, saying:
"To the Di Immortali,
I
offer this sacred incense on behalf of Petronius Maximus Augustus
In the hope that his spirit may find atonement."
As the smoke
of the incense rises, feel the sacred space around you being filled with the
Imperial
power of Eternal Rome.
Finally, pour
some wine from the container into the offering dish, saying:
"Dii Immortali of
Rome, Goddesses and Gods,
I offer this sacred wine. May the legacy of Eternal Rome remain strong
and continue to inspire
the world and your worship."
In your
mind's eye, focus on the Goddesses and Gods of Rome being merciful and Roma
Aeterna remaining powerful.
If you wish, you may now state your
own personal prayers, or ask for personal blessings in your own words.
To End The
Rite; hold up the dish of incense (adding more if needed) and say:
"Dii Immortali,
I
offer this sacred incense in atonement if there was fault
in any of this rite. I end this rite in honor."
Leave everything in place for
at least a few minutes after leaving the altar space. It is proper
to respectfully offer the
wine outdoors by pouring it on the ground after you have put out the incense
and light.
Notes:
Scented oil may be substituted for incense
as a sacred scent if necessary.
*The "mental visualizations" between offerings are not documented
historical, but are religious thoughts
that might have been likely. Trying them
certainly cannot hurt the ritual itself.
Christian
Prayer:
Look upon the spirit of
Petronius Maximus Augustus, O
God,
and by the
inexpressible grace of your kindness and mercy grant him the
tranquility of lasting
peace and heavenly atonement with all his people.
